The time appointed for one whose rights arc called judicially in question, or liable to be affected by judicial action , to appear in court and be heard in his own behalf. This phrase, as generally used, means not so much the time appointed for a hearing as the opportunity to present one’s claims or rights in a proper forensic hearing before a competent tribunal. See Ferry v. Car Wheel Co., 71 Vt. 457, 45 Atl. 1035, 76 Am. St. Rep. 782.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
